Colostomy irrigator

ABSTRACT

This invention is characterized by the provision of an irrigator for colostomy and similar conditions, comprising a container for the irrigating liquid and a drain for the discharge from the patient, combined in an assembly including a short-length catheter for injecting the irrigating liquid, the assembly comprising a single article of manufacture which functions in irrigating in all positions of the patient including upright ambulatory, the irrigator being designed for low cost of manufacture so that it is disposable after use.

United States atent 1 51 3,672,370 Marsan 1 1 June 27, 1972 [54]COLOSTOMY IRRIGATOR 2,616,425 11/1952 Pappas; ..128/283 2,421,294 5/1947Shotton ....128/241 [721 Invent mma", Escndld 3,216,420 11/1965 Smith eta1..... ..128/283 7991?- 3,481,334 11/1969 Diskin at al. ..128/240 x[22] Filed: March 20, 1970 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet [2 APP21,287 Assistant E.raminer]. Yasko Attorney-John F. McCanna [52] U.S.Cl... ..l28/227, 128/283 57 B T A T [51] lnt.Cl. ..A6lm 3/00 I l A S R C[58] Field of Search ..l28/227, 228, 232, 240, 241, This invention ischaracterized by the provision of an irrigator 128/283, DIG. 24 forcolostomy and similar conditions, comprising a container for theirrigating liquid and a drain for the discharge from the [56] ReferencesCited patient, combined in an assembly including a short-length catheterfor injecting the irrigating liquid, the assembly com- UNITED STATESPATENTS prising a single article of manufacture which functions inirrigating in all positions of the patient including upright am bu-2,869,547 1/1959 Yohe ..128/283 latory, the irrigate]. being designedfor low cost of manuhao 1,355,727 10/1920 Almlem' ture so that it isdisposable after use. 3,292,625 12/1966 Marsan.. 2,902,036 9/1959 Perry..128/283 21 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PMENTEDJUNZY 1912 SHEET 1 BF 2wif' COLOSTOMY IRRIGATOR This invention relates to the medical field,particularly to the subject of internal irrigation as in the treatmentof colostomy and related conditions. The invention deals with the designand manufacture of devices and appliances used in the act of irrigatingthe intestine of a patient and also in the technique of irrigating.

In this field medical science has advanced to where more patients arebeing benefited in the treatment of colostomy and related conditions,but in view of the many variations and uncertaintiesin individual casesthe equipment and technique used is not altogether satisfactory.

My invention aims to improve both the equipment and technique as appliedto colostomy irrigation, to the benefit of the patients and the nursesand others who care for such patients.

In considering this subject some of the uncertainties and problemsshould be borne in mind. To begin with, irrigating a colostomy patientis to administer an enema through the stoma. The stoma is the end of theintestine that protrudes through the abdominal wall. The stoma is thepoint of discharge of fecal matter from the intestine. This surgicalprocedure is usually required if a blockage occurs in the largeintestine. The blockage can quite often be a tumor which requiressurgical removal of a section of the bowel and the rectum. The stomareplaces the rectum. However, the stoma lacks the sphincter muscle whichpermits a person to open or close the rectum when this action is needed.Therefore, the stoma opening is not controllable by the need or will ofthe patient and hence the bowel can discharge when necessary withoutwarning, and without any wilful control of the patient. As a consequenceof uncontrolled discharge of the bowel, the patient can suffer greathardship and embarrassment, particularly if away from home when fecaldischarge occurs. This erratic discharge can occur several times a day.To assist the patient, some doctors recommend that the patient take anenema once each day at the same time every day. The purpose is to trainthe bowel to evacuate the fecal mass at the same time each day. Theenema seems to induce the bowel to discharge a greater amount of fecesthan normally. This then reduces the necessity for the bowel todischarge additional feces between irrigations. Some doctors will notpermit their patients to irrigate themselves because there is dangerwith some equipment of forcing the enema tube ending, called thecatheter, through the wall of the intestine. If the intestine wall isperforated, feces can pass through the perforation into the abdominalcavity and be fatal to the patient.

In prior practice of irrigating, it has been customary to insert thecatheter from 6 to l 2 inches through the stoma opening and into theintestine. The intestine does have some twists, turns, or bends, and thecatheter must follow this path. The catheter is usually made of softrubber or plastic so that it can bend or flex with the turns in theintestine; but because of the variables in the patient, the constructionof the catheter, the manipulation of the long catheter, troubles occur.In an effort to avoid this, a long catheter tube has been used having apronounced taper tip whr-- 1 is pressed into the opening of the stomaand enters only a fraction of an inch. However, in the use of thiscatheter objectionable pressure is apt to occur against the wall of thestoma. Also, in prior practice it is invariably necessary to useseparate units; one, the bag for the irrigating liquid, and a secondunit for receiving the drain or discharge from the stoma. These andother conditions made for difficulties, dissatisfaction, and expense.

The principal object of my invention is, therefore, to provide agenerally improved colostomy irrigator, together with improved techniquein the irrigating process.

One of my objects is to provide a totally disposable low-cost irrigatorthat includes all the components. This, I believe, is distinctly new.The advantages will be described hereinafter.

Another object is to provide an irrigator which will serve a wider rangeof uses than heretofore; that is, first it is adapted for use when thepatient is lying in bed or reclining; secondly,

when the patient is in sitting position on a toilet with the drain goinginto the toilet bowl; and thirdly, when the patient is in uprightposition and completely ambulatory so as to permit walking about andmovement anywhere during the irrigating process.

Another object is to provide a new construction which will and use.

Another object is to provide a new and improved valve structure forcontrolling flow of the irrigating liquid to the catheter and into thestoma intestine.

Another object is to provide a colostomy irrigator unit of the characterdescribed which is of such simple construction as to permit of itsmanufacture at a relatively low cost, thereby benefiting both the userand the producer. In this connection I have aimed to construct theirrigator unit in such manner that it will serve satisfactorily thepurposes intended and, by reason of its low cost it may be disposable inits entirety with all its components after a single use.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be understood by thoseskilled in this art as the invention becomes better understood byreference to the following description when considered in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate generally the application of a colostomyirrigator embodying my invention, to three types of usage, namely, FIG.1 with the patient standing and fully ambulatory, FIG. 2 with thepatient lying in bed, and FIG. 3 with the patient sitting on a toilet;

FIG. 4 is a face view of my colostomy irrigator showing the inner sidewhich receives the stoma. This view omits the catheter. Also, sectionsin the length of the liquid container and the drain pouch are cut away;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are perspective views showing sheets of film at theinner and outer side walls of the film body, also an intermediate filmsheet; FIG. 5 shows a belt-attaching gasket applied to the inner sheet;FIG. 6 shows a short-length catheter attached to the intermediate sheet;and FIG. 7 shows a combined valve and probe which coact with thecatheter, attached to the outer sheet;

FIG. 8 is a diagramatic section lengthwise through the film sheets shownin FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, showing their connection to the upper film bodywhich is the liquid container and to the lower film body which is thedrain pouch or tube;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged section taken on the section line 99 of FIG. 4,diagramatic as to the specific shape or disposition of the film sheetswhen in actual use;

FIG. 9A is a section taken on the section line 9A9A of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a modified making up the film body;

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show another body; and

FIGS. l5, l6 and 17 show still film body.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 I have illustrated somewhat diagramatically animportant feature of my invention characterized by the fact that theirrigator is constructed for a wider range of applications than priorirrigators. That is, my invention provides one irrigator constructionwhich will function in the irrigating process regardless of the bodilyposition of the user, whether sitting, lying in bed or otherwisereclining, or in upright standing position in which the patient is fullyambulatory. The only difierence in these uses is that in the standinguse the bottom end of the drain pouch or tube is closed so as to retainthe discharged feces. In the other two applications the bottom end ofthe drain is cut off as with scissors so that the discharge will draininto a receptacle. It will be seen that my invention provides a unitaryarticle which may be hung from the neck of the user or from a suitablestand or support. The intention is that the components which make upthis unitary irrigation article are constructed in such manner that theymay be manufactured at a relatively low cost. The irrigator and improvedcatheter permit simple and easy application form of the film sheetsmodified form of the film another modified form of the will beconvenient for use and economical as to cost. With this construction itis intended that the user may dispose of the entire article with all itscomponents after a single use. This eliminates many of the objections toprior irrigators. Furthermore, the components making up my new irrigatorare in a new relationship wherein the desired irrigating process may besatisfactorily performed in any of the described different conditions.

Referring now to the construction of the irrigator: My inventioncontemplates components comprising a container for the irrigating liquidand a drain pouch or tube for receiving the discharge from the patient,together with a short-length catheter arranged in a novel combinationfor application to the stoma and whereby these components will performeffectively under all the conditions above described. In the preferredform of my invention these components are embodied in a tubular bodystructure which may be constructed in any of various modifications.Preferably this body is made of plastic film such as polyethylene sheetapproximately 0.0015 of an inch in thickness. Polyethylene is usedbecause of its low cost and also because it is well adapted tomanufacturing steps using heat treatment in assembling the components.However, other materials could be used such as other plastics, rubber,paper, fabrics, metal foils, and laminates of the above materials. Theform shown in FIGS. 4 to 9 inclusive comprises a tubular body structuremaking a container 21 for the irrigating liquid and a drain pouch ortube 22 which receives the discharge from the patient. In this form thecontainer and the drain are joined by walls 23 and 24 making a completetubular body from top to bottom. The side wall 23 has a large circularstoma-receiving opening 25 adapted to receive the stoma when theirrigator is positioned on the patient, as will be presently described.The tubular body is normally flat, roviding an inner side wall 26 joinedto an outer side wall 27 at the bends 28. The inner side wall 26 and theouter side wall 27 of the container 21 are heat sealed at 29 and 31 tothe top edges of the sheets 23 and 24, respectively, entirely acrossfrom bend to bend, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. The top edges of the drainare similarly heat sealed at 32 and 33 to the sheets 23 and 24. Thesesheets 23 and 24 are further heat sealed one to the other along theirlongitudinal edges 34 and 35, as indicated in FIG. 4. This completes thetubular body structure from top to bottom. The top end of the containeris folded over at 36 for strengthening. Eyelets 37 are applied throughthis top portion to receive a cord 38 which is adapted to encircle thepatients neck. The irrigator is supported on the patient by the cord 38and by a belt 39 presently to be described, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.For the lying in use the cord 38 would be hooked to a suitable stand orthe like, as shown in FIG. 2. The container is open at its top end forfilling and closed at its bottom end by a transverse film wall 41 whichis heat sealed across its top edge at 29 to the inner wall 36 of thecontainer and across its bottom edge at 33 to the outer wall 27 of thedrain 22. The drain 22 is normally closed at its bottom by heat sealingat 42, but this closed end may be cut off when the irrigator is used todrain into a separate receptacle, as above mentioned.

Referring now to the connection of the irrigator to the stoma area, Iprovide a sealing means surrounding the opening 25 on the inner face ofthe tubular body adapted to seat against the patient around the stomaopening in the abdomen. This is preferably in the form of a ring orgasket 43 generally similar to that described in my pending applicationfor US Pat. Ser. No. 795,]38, or it may be a ring shape of polyethylenehaving slotted belt receiving ends 44 integral therewith, as here shown.This gasket may be heat sealed to the sheet 23 since both are of thesame material, or it may be otherwise afiixed to the sheet 23. Thegasket may, however, be of other material such as rubber, fabric, moldedwood fiber, paper, or cardboard treated for water-proofing and strength.The face of the gasket may be treated with gel or foamed gel to providea more effective seal around the stoma opening, as in my pendingapplication above mentioned.

Referring now to the catheter, it will be observed that instead of thelong catheter tubes used with prior irrigators, I have provided arelatively short-length catheter 45 which is fixed to a flange 46 whichin turn is united to the transverse wall 41, as shown in FIG. 9. Theinlet end 47 of the catheter opens into the liquid container andreceives the liquid directly from this container as distinguished fromthe prior art in which catheter tubes of considerable length areconnected to liquid supplies entirely remote from the patient. Flow ofliquid from the container to the catheter is controlled by a taperedvalve 48 adapted to be moved axially into and out of seating against thetapered inlet opening 47 of the catheter. This valve has a stem or probe49 extending into the catheter passage 51 and terminating in a smallprobe head 52 which nonnally closes the tip opening 53 when the valve 48is closed. The small hole 50 on the side of the catheter is an alternatepassage-way for the irrigating liquid in case the tip opening 53 becomesplugged with feces. The valve 48 is fixed to a flange 54 which in turnis fixed to the sheet 24. The catheter tip 55 is rounded to facilitateentrance into the stoma. The catheter is made of extruded vinyl chloridethat is highly plasticized, but it may be of other material such aspolyethylene. The catheter and flange 46 are a unit adapted to bemanipulated from the exterior of the tubular body as by gripping theflange by the fingers, it being apparent that this is permissible andconvenient because of the thin film body and its flexibility. Suchmanipulation is for the purpose of inserting the catheter into the stomaand positioning the catheter into the stoma before the film body is inposition with the gasket 43 sealed against the abdomen of the patient.The flange 46 acts as a stop to limit insertion of the catheter into thestoma and also as a seal to prevent back-flow of the irrigating liquid.In so positioning the catheter, the valve 48 is closed by frictionalengagement with the tapered inlet end of the catheter. Also the valvewill be held closed by inward pressure of the fingers against the filmsheet 24 in the act of manipulating the catheter unit. It will be notedthat the container is divided lengthwise by heat sealing the inner andouter walls 26 and 27 along a line 56 from 57 at the top opening to 58just above the heat seals 29 and 31. This provides plural liquidcompartments open at the top for filling and both opening at the bottominto the area just above the heat seals 29 and 31. Thus the liquid fillsthe container compartments down into the area 59, thereby supplyingliquid to the entrance end 47 of the catheter unit. This construction isbeneficial because it prevents the liquid from collecting in the bottomof the container and forming a bulbous shape which would result in unduepressure on the thin film at this point and also undue pressure on theadjacent heat seals. The belt 39 is preferably made as a laminate ofplastic tape and paper. The plastic tape provides strength andwater-proof qualities. The paper on the inner side of the belt providesa softer surface for contact with the skin of the patient. It alsoabsorbs perspiration and avoids irritation and cutting of the skin. Withthis belt it is not necessary to use metal or plastic buckles.

In use of the irrigator it is first determined which type of use isdesired. The irrigator is sold with the drain sealed at 42 and, as abovementioned, this sealed end will be cut off for positions shown in FIGS.2 or 3. The irrigating liquid is usually water, but on doctorsrecommendation other ingredients may be added. Before filling thecontainer the valve 48 should be checked to make certain it is closed,also the cord 38 and the belt 39 should be checked to see that they areproperly fastened and ready for use. One end of the belt should besecurely fastened to the gasket 43, as shown in FIG. 4. The containershould be filled with the quantity of liquid recommended by the doctor.The liquid capacity of the container may vary according tospecifications desired, but ordinarily the irrigator would hold one totwo quarts of liquid. The irrigator would then be positioned on thepatient with the cord looped around the neck, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3,or supported from a stand or suitable support, as shown in FIG. 2. Thecord length would be adjusted to position the catheter at the same levelas the stoma. The catheter would then be moistened with water, vaseline,or other suitable material to facilitate entrance into the stoma. Thecatheter would then be gently inserted into the stoma by manipulation asdescribed above. The next step would be to wrap the other end of thebelt around the patients waist and thread it through the other slot inthe gasket, and then pull the belt snug so that the gasket fits tightlyagainst the abdomen surrounding the stoma. The loose end of the belt maybe turned back and under the belt proper to secure the connection. Ifpositions FIGS. 2 or 3 are used, the discharge end of the drain would beplaced in the toilet bowl or in a pail or other suitable receptacledepending on conditions at hand. It would be proper to now press thecatheter flange against the stoma and gradually pull out the taperedvalve stem. It should not be pulled out all the way at this pointbecause the liquid might flow too rapidly and cause intestinal cramps.The liquid should flow in as the patients condition permits. It usuallytakes about ten minutes to empty the container. The valve stem shouldnow be pressed into the catheter and gentle pressure by the fingersshould keep the catheter flange against the stoma to prevent back-flow.The probe'52 on the end of the valve stem may be manipulated by movementof the flange 54 to break up or dislodge any feces that may enter thecatheter and prevent flow of the liquid into the bowel. The liquid isusually retained in the intestine from 5 to l0 minutes to allow time forliquid to break up the fecal mass. The catheter is then withdrawn bygrasping the flange 46, allowing the fecal mass to discharge into thedrain. This generally requires about 20 to 30 minutes to fully clean outthe feces from the intestine. The irrigator is then removed and disposedof as by burning in an incinerator. Other steps are normal such aswashing the stoma area with mild soap and water. Usually it is customaryto place a gauze pad over the stoma or apply a disposable plastic pouchto the area. 1

Modifications and alternative forms of the tubular body are shown inFIGS. to 17, inclusive. FIG. 10 shows a single sheetof film 61 folded at62 to provide an inner side wall 63 and an outer side wall 64. Thesewalls will be heat sealed along their edges 65 making a continuous tubefrom top to bottom. A film sheet 66 similar to the sheet 41 equippedwith a catheter unit will be heat sealed between the walls 63 and 64along the edge 60 to the inner wall and along the edge 60 to the outerwall, similar to the heat seals 29 and 33, respectively, in FIG. 8,thereby dividing the tubular body into a liquid container at the top anda drain at the bottom. The inner wall 63 will have a stoma opening and agasket and the outer wall a valve, as in the first described form. Theintermediate sheet 66 will be equipped with a catheter. The catheter andvalve will be positioned in cooperative relation in the course ofassembling and heat sealing the sheets. The modification in FIGS. 12, 13and 14 has two separate full length sheets 67 and 68 which will be heatsealed along their side edges to provide the tubular body. The filmsheet 69 will be heat sealed in position between the sheets 67 and 68similar to the intennediate sheet 41, thereby dividing the tubular bodyinto a liquid container at the top and a drain at the bottom. Thesesheets will be otherwise constructed and equipped with gasket, catheterand valve, as in the first described form. In the third modification,the film sheet 71 shown in FIG. forms the inner wall 72 of the drain andis provided with a stoma opening and gasket. The full length sheet 73has the catheter attached thereto. Sheet 73 will be positioned at theouter side of sheet 71 and heat sealed thereto along the edges 74, 75and 76. This completes the inner side wall 77 and the outer side wall 78of the drain. The film sheet 79 shown in FIG. 17 has the valve attachedthereto, as in FIG. 7. This sheet 79 will be positioned at the outerside of the sheet 73 with its valve in coaction with the catheter. Sheet79 will be heat sealed to sheet 73 along the side edges 81 and 82 andalso along the edge 83. Thus the sheet 79 becomes the outer side wallofthe liquid container and the upper portion of the sheet 73 becomes theinner side wall of the container. The heat seal at 83 defines the lowerend of the liquid container, similar to the heat seal 33 in the firstdescribed form.

It will be evident from the foregoing that the invention may be embodiedin various forms and species. Also, in the manufacture of the irrigator,changes may be made in the construction of the parts and componentswithin the scope of the appended claims, in which:

I claim:

1. A colostomy irrigator comprising, in combination, a container for theirrigating liquid having a filling opening and an outlet end, a drainfor the discharge from the patient, a shortlength catheter having aninlet end mounted directly to the outlet end of the container andconnected thereto for receiving the irrigating liquid therefrom andhaving a discharge end for injecting into the stoma the irrigatingliquid from the container, and means permanently connecting the liquidcontainer, the drain, and the catheter in coactive relationship as asingle article of manufacture disposable as a unit after a single use.

2. A colostomy irrigator as set forth in claim I, in which the liquidcontainer and the drain are part of a tubular body structure with theliquid container at the upper end thereof and the drain at the bottomend, and in which the catheter is positioned intermediate the liquidcontainer and the drain.

3. YA colostomy irrigator comprising, a container for the irrigatingliquid open at its top end for filling and closed at its bottom end, adrain at the bottom end of the container having a stoma-receivingopening, a short-length catheter having an inlet end and an injectionend, the catheter connected at its inlet end to the container forreceiving irrigating liquid therefrom and positioned in the area of saidstoma-receiving opening whereby the catheter may be manipulated forinsertion of its injection end into the stoma and for withdrawaltherefrom to permit intestinal discharge through the stoma into thedrain, and means permanently connecting the container, the drain, andthe catheter in coactive relationship as a single article of manufacturedisposable as a unit after a single use.

4. A colostomy irrigator comprising a tubular body structure providing aliquid container at its top end portion and a drain pouch at its bottomend portion and having an interior wall dividing the liquid containerand the drain pouch, the body structure having a stoma-receiving openingintermediate the container and the drain pouch opening into the drainpouch, and a short-length catheter in the area of the stomareceivingopening having a flange fixed to its inlet end and to said wall with itsinlet end opening into the liquid container, said flange adapted to bemanipulated from the exterior of the body structure for positioning thecatheter in the stoma of a patient. 1

5. A colostomy irrigator as set forth in claim 4, including a valve inthe inlet end of the catheter adapted to be manipulated from theexterior of the body structure for controlling flow of liquid from thecontainer into the inlet end of the catheter.

6. A colostomy irrigator comprising, a tubular body providing at one enda container for the irrigating liquid and at its opposite end a drainfor the discharge from the stoma, the tubular body having an openingintermediate the container and the drain adapted to receive the stoma ofa patient when the tubular body is positioned on the patient, a wallwithin the tubular body adjacent to the stoma-receiving opening dividingthe container from the drain, the drain being open to the stoma so thatthe stoma can discharge into the drain, and a catheter attached at itsinlet end to said wall to receive irrigating liquid from the container,the catheter being free for manipulation from the exterior of the bodystructure for inserting its tip into the stoma.

7. A colostomy irrigator as set forth in claim 6, including valve meanscoacting with the inlet end of the catheter for controlling flow of theirrigating liquid through the catheter.

8. A colostomy irrigator as set forth in claim 6, including valve meanscoacting with the inlet end of the catheter for controlling flow of theirrigating liquid through the catheter, said valve means being attachedto an outer wall of the tubular body and having a probe extending intothe catheter, the valve means being operable from the exterior of thetubular body for controlling said flow.

9. A colostomy irrigator including a body structure of flexible materialincluding a liquid container and a drain pouch having a stoma-receivingopening, means for supporting the body structure on a patient with saidopening in position to receive the patients stoma, a short-lengthcatheter having a flange member fixed to its inlet end, the catheterflange member fixedly and permanently mounted to the liquid container inthe area of said opening and adapted to be manipulated by grasping thebody structure with the fingers for insertion of its tip end into thestoma and for withdrawal therefrom.

10. A colostomy irrigator as set forth in claim 9, including means forsupplying irrigating liquid to the inlet end of the catheter, and avalve in said inlet end of the catheter movable to control said flow ofliquid.

11, As an article of manufacture, a colostomy irrigator comprising atubular body structure of plastic film having plural sheets of film, oneof which is a single sheet extending from end to end of the bodystructure, one end portion of the body structure serving as a containerfor the irrigating liquid and the opposite end portion serving as adrain, one of the film sheets having a stoma-receiving opening, and acatheter in the area of said opening connected to the container forreceiving irrigating liquid therefrom adapted for injecting said liquidinto a patients stoma.

12. A colostomy irrigator comprising, a tubular film body having spacedinner and outer side walls, means for supporting the body with its innerwall against the abdomen of the patient, a transverse wall intermediatethe top and bottom ends of the tubular body dividing the body into a topcontainer for the irrigating liquid and a bottom drain, the inner sidewall having beneath and adjacent to the container a stoma-receivingopening, a gasket fixed to said inner side wall surrounding saidstoma-receiving opening and adapted to seat against the patient aroundthe stoma when the irrigator is in position on the patient, a beltattached to the gasket for holding the irrigator in such position, ashort-length catheter mounted at its inlet end on said transverse wallat the drain side thereof with its injection end extending into the areaof said stoma-receiving opening, the inlet end of the catheter beingopen to the container to receive liquid therefrom, valve means mountedon the outer side wall of the body at the container side of thetransverse wall having a stem extending into the catheter through itsinlet end, the catheter having a flange at its inlet end adapted to bemanipulated from the exterior of the tubular body for injecting thecatheter into the stoma and for removing it therefrom, the valve meansalso adapted to be manipulated from the container into the catheter andinto the stoma, whereby when the catheter is removed the stoma willdischarge into the drain.

13. A colostomy irrigator comprising, a tubular body structure the topportion of which serves as a container for the irrigating liquid and thebottom portion serves as a drain to receive the discharge from thepatient, the body structure having a stoma-receiving openingintermediate the container and the drain, means for supporting the bodystructure on a patient with the stoma-receiving opening in position toreceive the stoma, said means comprising a loop attached to the top endof the container for encircling the patients neck and a belt attached tothe intermediate portion of the body structure for encircling thepatients waist and holding the body structure with its stoma-receivingopening in position to receive the stoma, a catheter connected at itsinlet end for receiving irrigating liquid from the container andinjecting the liquid into the stoma, the catheter being removable fromthe stoma after the liquid injection, the drain portion of the bodystructure being open at its top to receive from the stoma the dischargefrom the intestine of the patient.

14. As an article of manufacture, a colostomy irrigator comprising, anormally flat tubular body structure having spaced side walls one ofwhich is provided with a stoma-receivin opening located midwayintermediate the top and bottom 0 the body structure, the portion of thebody structure above said opening serving as a container for theirrigating liquid and the portion beneath said opening serving as adrain for receiving the discharge from the patient 3 STOMA, MEANS FORSUPPORTING THE BODY STRUCTURE ON THE PATIENT COMPRISING A LOOP ATTACHEDTo THE BODY STRUCTURE ADAPTED To ENcrrtcLE THE PATrENTs neck and a beltattached to the body structure in the area of said stoma-receivingopening adapted to encircle the patients waist and hold the bodystructure with its stoma-receiving opening in a position in which thestoma enters said opening, a short-length catheter in said stoma areahaving its inlet end connected to the bottom of the container forreceiving liquid therefrom and passing the liquid into the catheter whenthe catheter is inserted into the stoma for irrigating the intestine,the catheter being removable from the stoma after the irrigatingprocess, the upper end of the drain being open to the stoma to receivethe material discharged from the stoma after the catheter has beenremoved, whereby the irrigator when supported on the patient by saidmeans will serve the irrigating process in any of the sitting,reclining, or upright ambulatory positions of the patient.

15. An irrigator appliance comprising components, namely, a containerfor the irrigating liquid open at its top end for filling and closed atits bottom end, a drain component at the bottom end of the containerhaving a stoma-receiving opening, and a catheter component having aninlet end and an injection end, the catheter connected at its inlet endto the container for receiving irrigating liquid therefrom andpositioned in the area of said stoma-receiving whereby the catheter maybe manipulated for insertion of its injection end into the stoma andwithdrawal therefrom to permit intestinal discharge through the stomainto the drain, said components operatively connected in co-operativerelationship to perform the described functions and, constituting asingle article of manufacture disposable as a unit after a single use.

16. An irrigating appliance comprising a tubular bag one end portion ofwhich serves as a supply receptacle for the irrigating liquid and theopposite end portion serves as a drain for receiving the irrigatingdischarge from the patient, means intermediate said end portions closingone from the other, and a catheter mounted within the drain portion andconnected to receive irrigating liquid from the supply receptacle forperforming the irrigating function.

17. An irrigating appliance as set forth in claim 16, in which thetubular bag and the catheter are components associated in and as partofa unitary article of manufacture.

18. An irrigating appliance as set forth in claim 16, in which thetubular bag is a plastic film and the catheter is constructed so that itcan be manipulated by the operator grasping the exterior ofthe bag inperforming the irrigating function.

19. A colostomy irrigator comprising a unitary structure providing anupper container for the irrigating liquid and a lower drain to receivethe fecal discharge from a stoma, the container having a filling openingand an outlet end, the drain having a stoma-receiving opening, theunitary structure including a short-length catheter having an inlet endmounted directly to the outlet end of the container and connectedthereto for receiving the irrigating liquid therefrom and having adischarge end adapted to extend through said stoma-receiving opening inthe drain for delivering the liquid into the stoma.

20. A colostomy irrigator as set forth in claim 19, including meansadapted to encircle the neck of the patient connected to the top of thecontainer for supporting the container and its contents on the patient.

21. A colostomy irrigator as set forth in claim 20, including a beltadapted to encircle the waist of the patient and connected at its endsto the unitary structure for holding the irrigator in position againstthe abdomen of the patient.

1. A colostomy irrigator comprising, in combination, a container for theirrigating liquid having a filling opening and an outlet end, a drainfor the discharge from the patient, a short-length catheter having aninlet end mounted directly to the outlet end of the container andconnected thereto for receiving the irrigating liquid therefrom andhaving a discharge end for injecting into the stoma the irrigatingliquid from the container, and means permanently connecting the liquidcontainer, the drain, and the catheter in coactive relationship as asingle article of manufacture disposable as a unit after a single use.2. A colostomy irrigator as set forth in claim 1, in which the liquidcontainer and the drain are part of a tubular body structure with theliquid container at the upper end thereof and the drain At the bottomend, and in which the catheter is positioned intermediate the liquidcontainer and the drain.
 3. A colostomy irrigator comprising, acontainer for the irrigating liquid open at its top end for filling andclosed at its bottom end, a drain at the bottom end of the containerhaving a stoma-receiving opening, a short-length catheter having aninlet end and an injection end, the catheter connected at its inlet endto the container for receiving irrigating liquid therefrom andpositioned in the area of said stoma-receiving opening whereby thecatheter may be manipulated for insertion of its injection end into thestoma and for withdrawal therefrom to permit intestinal dischargethrough the stoma into the drain, and means permanently connecting thecontainer, the drain, and the catheter in coactive relationship as asingle article of manufacture disposable as a unit after a single use.4. A colostomy irrigator comprising a tubular body structure providing aliquid container at its top end portion and a drain pouch at its bottomend portion and having an interior wall dividing the liquid containerand the drain pouch, the body structure having a stoma-receiving openingintermediate the container and the drain pouch opening into the drainpouch, and a short-length catheter in the area of the stoma-receivingopening having a flange fixed to its inlet end and to said wall with itsinlet end opening into the liquid container, said flange adapted to bemanipulated from the exterior of the body structure for positioning thecatheter in the stoma of a patient.
 5. A colostomy irrigator as setforth in claim 4, including a valve in the inlet end of the catheteradapted to be manipulated from the exterior of the body structure forcontrolling flow of liquid from the container into the inlet end of thecatheter.
 6. A colostomy irrigator comprising, a tubular body providingat one end a container for the irrigating liquid and at its opposite enda drain for the discharge from the stoma, the tubular body having anopening intermediate the container and the drain adapted to receive thestoma of a patient when the tubular body is positioned on the patient, awall within the tubular body adjacent to the stoma-receiving openingdividing the container from the drain, the drain being open to the stomaso that the stoma can discharge into the drain, and a catheter attachedat its inlet end to said wall to receive irrigating liquid from thecontainer, the catheter being free for manipulation from the exterior ofthe body structure for inserting its tip into the stoma.
 7. A colostomyirrigator as set forth in claim 6, including valve means coacting withthe inlet end of the catheter for controlling flow of the irrigatingliquid through the catheter.
 8. A colostomy irrigator as set forth inclaim 6, including valve means coacting with the inlet end of thecatheter for controlling flow of the irrigating liquid through thecatheter, said valve means being attached to an outer wall of thetubular body and having a probe extending into the catheter, the valvemeans being operable from the exterior of the tubular body forcontrolling said flow.
 9. A colostomy irrigator including a bodystructure of flexible material including a liquid container and a drainpouch having a stoma-receiving opening, means for supporting the bodystructure on a patient with said opening in position to receive thepatient''s stoma, a short-length catheter having a flange member fixedto its inlet end, the catheter flange member fixedly and permanentlymounted to the liquid container in the area of said opening and adaptedto be manipulated by grasping the body structure with the fingers forinsertion of its tip end into the stoma and for withdrawal therefrom.10. A colostomy irrigator as set forth in claim 9, including means forsupplying irrigating liquid to the inlet end of the catheter, and avalve in said inlet end of the catheter movable to control said flow ofliquid.
 11. As an article of manufacture, a colostomy irrigatorcomprising a tubular body structure of plastic film having plural sheetsof film, one of which is a single sheet extending from end to end of thebody structure, one end portion of the body structure serving as acontainer for the irrigating liquid and the opposite end portion servingas a drain, one of the film sheets having a stoma-receiving opening, anda catheter in the area of said opening connected to the container forreceiving irrigating liquid therefrom adapted for injecting said liquidinto a patient''s stoma.
 12. A colostomy irrigator comprising, a tubularfilm body having spaced inner and outer side walls, means for supportingthe body with its inner wall against the abdomen of the patient, atransverse wall intermediate the top and bottom ends of the tubular bodydividing the body into a top container for the irrigating liquid and abottom drain, the inner side wall having beneath and adjacent to thecontainer a stoma-receiving opening, a gasket fixed to said inner sidewall surrounding said stoma-receiving opening and adapted to seatagainst the patient around the stoma when the irrigator is in positionon the patient, a belt attached to the gasket for holding the irrigatorin such position, a short-length catheter mounted at its inlet end onsaid transverse wall at the drain side thereof with its injection endextending into the area of said stoma-receiving opening, the inlet endof the catheter being open to the container to receive liquid therefrom,valve means mounted on the outer side wall of the body at the containerside of the transverse wall having a stem extending into the catheterthrough its inlet end, the catheter having a flange at its inlet endadapted to be manipulated from the exterior of the tubular body forinjecting the catheter into the stoma and for removing it therefrom, thevalve means also adapted to be manipulated from the container into thecatheter and into the stoma, whereby when the catheter is removed thestoma will discharge into the drain.
 13. A colostomy irrigatorcomprising, a tubular body structure the top portion of which serves asa container for the irrigating liquid and the bottom portion serves as adrain to receive the discharge from the patient, the body structurehaving a stoma-receiving opening intermediate the container and thedrain, means for supporting the body structure on a patient with thestoma-receiving opening in position to receive the stoma, said meanscomprising a loop attached to the top end of the container forencircling the patient''s neck and a belt attached to the intermediateportion of the body structure for encircling the patient''s waist andholding the body structure with its stoma-receiving opening in positionto receive the stoma, a catheter connected at its inlet end forreceiving irrigating liquid from the container and injecting the liquidinto the stoma, the catheter being removable from the stoma after theliquid injection, the drain portion of the body structure being open atits top to receive from the stoma the discharge from the intestine ofthe patient.
 14. As an article of manufacture, a colostomy irrigatorcomprising, a normally flat tubular body structure having spaced sidewalls one of which is provided with a stoma-receiving opening locatedmidway intermediate the top and bottom of the body structure, theportion of the body structure above said opening serving as a containerfor the irrigating liquid and the portion beneath said opening servingas a drain for receiving the discharge from the patient3 stoma, meansfor supporting the body structure on the patient comprising a loopattached to the body structure adapted to encircle the patient''s neckand a belt attached to the body structure in the area of saidstoma-receiving opening adapted to encircle the patient''s waist andhold the body structure with its stoma-receiving opening in a positionin which the stoma enters said opening, a short-length catheter in saidstOma area having its inlet end connected to the bottom of the containerfor receiving liquid therefrom and passing the liquid into the catheterwhen the catheter is inserted into the stoma for irrigating theintestine, the catheter being removable from the stoma after theirrigating process, the upper end of the drain being open to the stomato receive the material discharged from the stoma after the catheter hasbeen removed, whereby the irrigator when supported on the patient bysaid means will serve the irrigating process in any of the sitting,reclining, or upright ambulatory positions of the patient.
 15. Anirrigator appliance comprising components, namely, a container for theirrigating liquid open at its top end for filling and closed at itsbottom end, a drain component at the bottom end of the container havinga stoma-receiving opening, and a catheter component having an inlet endand an injection end, the catheter connected at its inlet end to thecontainer for receiving irrigating liquid therefrom and positioned inthe area of said stoma-receiving whereby the catheter may be manipulatedfor insertion of its injection end into the stoma and withdrawaltherefrom to permit intestinal discharge through the stoma into thedrain, said components operatively connected in co-operativerelationship to perform the described functions and, constituting asingle article of manufacture disposable as a unit after a single use.16. An irrigating appliance comprising a tubular bag one end portion ofwhich serves as a supply receptacle for the irrigating liquid and theopposite end portion serves as a drain for receiving the irrigatingdischarge from the patient, means intermediate said end portions closingone from the other, and a catheter mounted within the drain portion andconnected to receive irrigating liquid from the supply receptacle forperforming the irrigating function.
 17. An irrigating appliance as setforth in claim 16, in which the tubular bag and the catheter arecomponents associated in and as part of a unitary article ofmanufacture.
 18. An irrigating appliance as set forth in claim 16, inwhich the tubular bag is a plastic film and the catheter is constructedso that it can be manipulated by the operator grasping the exterior ofthe bag in performing the irrigating function.
 19. A colostomy irrigatorcomprising a unitary structure providing an upper container for theirrigating liquid and a lower drain to receive the fecal discharge froma stoma, the container having a filling opening and an outlet end, thedrain having a stoma-receiving opening, the unitary structure includinga short-length catheter having an inlet end mounted directly to theoutlet end of the container and connected thereto for receiving theirrigating liquid therefrom and having a discharge end adapted to extendthrough said stoma-receiving opening in the drain for delivering theliquid into the stoma.
 20. A colostomy irrigator as set forth in claim19, including means adapted to encircle the neck of the patientconnected to the top of the container for supporting the container andits contents on the patient.
 21. A colostomy irrigator as set forth inclaim 20, including a belt adapted to encircle the waist of the patientand connected at its ends to the unitary structure for holding theirrigator in position against the abdomen of the patient.